Meaning & Definition of word "Stagger"
Stagger
/ˈstæɡər/
noun:
- 1. a wavering or unsteady movement.
- Example: With a stagger, she managed to keep her balance on the icy pavement.
verb:
- 1. to walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall.
- Example: He began to stagger after drinking too much at the party.
- 2. to arrange in a staggered formation or schedule.
- Example: The teacher decided to stagger the exam times to reduce crowding.
- 3. to shock or astonish someone.
- Example: The news of the sudden storm was enough to stagger the entire town.
Etymology
●Middle English 'staggeren', from Old Norse 'stagga' meaning to shake or sway.
Common Phrases and Expressions
staggering experience:
An experience that is shocking or astonishing.
staggered payments:
Payments that are spread out over time, not paid all at once.
stagger your work hours:
To arrange work hours in a non-simultaneous way for efficiency.
Related Words
staggered:
Arranged in a staggered manner; not in a straight line.
staggering:
Incredibly shocking; hard to believe.
Slang Meanings of stagger
Meaning: To shock someone immensely.
● Example Sentence: That revelation was just too staggering for him to handle.
Meaning: To be overwhelmed or confused.
● Example Sentence: I'm so staggered by this workload, I don't know where to start.